COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Monday, October 21, 2013) – Last November Taylor Jensen (USA) won his historic second ASP World Longboard Title on the sand at Riyue Bay in Wanning, Hainan Island, China. The ASP is pleased to announce that the Riyue Bay ASP World Longboard Championships hosted by Wanning will once again see 36 of the world’s best longboarders compete for the sport’s biggest prize in China from November 25 – 29.
Wanning Mayor Zhang Mei Wen is proud to once again showcase the culture, surf and sights that his community has to offer, and is looking forward to once again welcoming the world’s best longboarders to his hometown.
“The city of Wanning is really proud to again be hosting 2013 SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA and the Riyue Bay ASP Men’s World Longboard Championship, namely the fourth Wanning International Surfing Festival, Hainan, China,” said Wanning Mayor Zhang Mei Wen. “Wanning city is located in the south east coast area of Hainan Island, rich in coastal tourism resources. It has been visited by many international and local professional surfers that say Wanning is endowed with the finest surfing conditions in Northeast Asia. The east coast of Wanning receives consistent trade swells from the South China sea in the monsoon season (Oct-April) resulting in quality surfing conditions.”
Taylor Jensen (USA), reigning two-time ASP World Longboard Champion will be out to battle for a third consecutive crown this November. Jensen is a threat in any and all conditions, winning competitions all over the globe, even taking out last year’s ASP World Longboard Title despite being sick and bedridden throughout most of the event.
“My favourite thing about China was the quality of the venue and the setup for the wave,” Jensen said. “I got there really early, before the women’s event last year and I got to see what that wave is actually like and it’s a great wave. It’s super playful at shoulder high, and I think everyone saw what the 4-Star event a couple of years ago, so we know how incredible it can be. It really is a first class setup and the local people are awesome. I can’t wait to be back there this year and hopefully score some good surf!”
Edouard Delpero (FRA) finished equal 5th at last year’s event and is looking forward to returning to China for the chance to compete for an ASP World Longboard Title, and enjoy the culture and beauty that Hainan has to offer.
“Last year Wanning inspired me like Indonesia, and it is still isolated for the moment so I think it’s now or never if you want to be part of the dream,” Delpero said. “For all disciplines of surfing, the wave is amazing. I am really looking forward to going back to Wanning again this year.”
Harley Ingleby (AUS), 2009 ASP World Longboard Champion and equal 5th place at last year’s event is excited to return to Wanning to compete in the event and explore the region for more world-class surf spots.
“Wanning is a great location for the ASP World Longboard Championships,” Ingleby said. “Typically we seem to have events at a lot of right handers so its cool to have an event at a location like Wanning that seems be be rich in left point breaks. It’s nothing like you expect China to be like, all the beaches are clean and nice, it’s sort of like a cross between Hawaii and the east coast of Australia.”
Dane Jordan, ASP Australasia General Manager and Riyue Bay ASP World Longboard Championships Contest Director has been working closely with the Wanning People’s Government and local surfing community for the past three years and is proud to see this prestigious surfing event continuing to grow in China.
“It’s great for the ASP to have an event of this size and scale in China,” Jordan said. “The Wanning People’s Government have been very supportive, the professional surfers love coming here and the local surfers love to mingle with the world’s best. It’s a great event to be a part of and I can’t wait to see how this year’s battle for the ASP World Longboard Championship will unfold.”
